Communists, Politics and Tragedies.

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As things at every corner of the day seem to be flaring up, it’s tough to focus on just one issue. I thought I’d crawl my way back into the world with a few thoughts and OPINIONS about various recent topics. I want to preface this by saying that agreeing or disagreeing with different directions varying topics are taking, in no way, means that I am condoning or cementing myself on the extreme of either viewpoint. It seems that can be the only way our opinions and concerns are viewed. We tout ourselves as a country of tolerance and understanding. But at times, it seems that, unless you are of the majority or politically correct stance, you are systematically pigeon-holed as a zealot. And to me, therein lies a good part of the problem…..

North Korea…..In March, the Obama Administration promised food/aid to North Korea in exchange for a moratorium on long range missiles. Now, supposedly, that is threatened due to the fact that North Korea has said it will go ahead with some missile tests. To me, the operative word is ‘moratorium’. A moratorium is simply a delay or suspension. Not a promise NOT to conduct the tests. North Korea has continued to make a fool of the U.S. With this just being the latest, the exchange should have been a firm, non-negotiable WILL NOT conduct the tests. All they’ve done is allowed us, American citizens, to provide aid to a country that demonizes and threatens us while refusing to treat their citizens with basic human rights. Along with the overzealous Iranians, they will never fear anything. Russia and China are both on the U.N. Security Council and have refused to allow any type of firm action or sanctions to be imposed. Why? They’re communists!! Seriously? It’s time for the United States to man-up. Stop all aid. I mean until after the election. I hear there will be more flexibility. Aye, Comrade?

Supreme Court…..The Supreme Court is currently in session. With the Affordable Healthcare Act being argued, an item from last week seems to have slipped to the back burner. The “life without parole for minors” debate has been a hot issue since it started being used. But, in my view, this shows our inability to put the real issue on the surface. Being a child is the issue that should be made firm. It’s weird to me that a 14 year child can be put to such an ultimate sentence. With the prosecution, I’m sure, arguing that the child planned, studied, waited, etc. and carried out an ‘adult crime’. Then, that same prosecutor will try to convince the same jury that a child of the same age doesn’t have the capacity to choose to have intimate relations. And that decision can ruin an adult’s life complete. In no way am I saying adults should have a free pass when it comes to children. Not even close. My argument is to define a child as a child. Our society has chosen to pick and choose what crimes a child can and can’t commit. When a child is a child and when they’re not. Either you know right from wrong or you don’t. I’m not saying that a murderous child shouldn’t be punished. But are they children or not? What should change are the guidelines to allow their release from incarceration at a certain age. Upon rehabilitation, of course. How has their record been while incarcerated? And when they are let out and start veering back towards their adolescent ways, allow the prosecution to admit their juvenile record into an adult trial. That’s a fair tradeoff. You allow the child to be accountable for their actions as well as show authorities that it was just an immature mistake. But, the definition should be “What is a child?”The GOP Nomination…..As the GOP nomination process begins to look like the Eveready Bunny (while the going on forever would fit, I am more inclined to use the annoying banging cymbals in the analogy), the talk will for sure turn to Romney (presumably) and his thoughts for a running mate. While I am unsure who I’d like to see in the end, here are some things that I feel he will consider. I’ve said this to my circle from the start about Mitt Romney: His biggest hurdle will be his Mormonism. I didn’t say that it should or that I believe one way or the other about The Mormons. Whether the politically correct want to admit it, this is still a Christian nation. If you know anything about the Mormon faith, you know where and how they came to get their Book of Mormon. To Southern Baptists and Northern Catholics (to name a few), that may be a hard sell. So this is my take. When John F. Kennedy was running for President, his Catholicism was very much in the forefront. It was questioned and scrutinized. This is in no way comparing the two men’s ideals, style or visions. I’m just saying that aside from unseating an incumbent (albeit, somewhat unpopular) President, Romney’s religion could be a deciding factor down the line. He has also had issues winning in the south, just as Kennedy. Last week Romney and Newt Gingrich had a closed door meeting. I’m not saying Gingrich is the answer. What I will say is that Gingrich presided over a time when America was growing favorably. There was bipartisanship in Congress. He got and gets things done. He’s smart. He’s seasoned. He knows compromise. I believe he loves America and what’s best for her…….and he’s Southern. JFK and LBJ were not drinking buddies, political allies or cut from the same cloth. But Lyndon Baines Johnson was Southern. I do think that LBJ was a political moved based on the want the win. Again, I don’t think Newt will be asked to be on the ticket. If I were Romney, I’d get him in my corner as quick as I could. Even in a Karl Rove type capacity. He’s made mistakes and rebounded from them. I couldn’t think of a better strategist when it comes to defeating the Democrats than Newt Gingrich.On the Democrat side…..I have really shied away from railing too much about Obama. I didn’t want to come across as what I could be perceived as being. But man…..WOW. What a character. That guy reminds me of a comedian on tour. He has gathered some catch phrases and doesn’t really back anything up with fact. He only makes a joke and thinks the American public will take it as a sign that he’s the answer. He’s not. I had a guy I worked with tell another former coworker who was really demeaning and abasing me something that really entered the forefront of my mind when taking a good look at how Obama is campaigning. The guy said, “You don’t have to blow my candle out to make yours seem brighter”. That’s all Obama has done. Not that it isn’t done by both sides; I will cough that up from the start. But he ran on change and progress. He hasn’t campaigned on his record at all. He name calls. He mocks. He hasn’t owned up to his share of the country’s failures. He’s blamed the REPUBLICAN side of Congress. Not even the whole Congress. Let’s not forget that the House is the one branch that is most directly linked to the population. He regurgitates the same punch lines over and over and over……’silver bullet’, ‘3 step plan drill, drill and still more drilling’,’ flat Earth society’…Really? Impressive. I feel like reciting ‘Sticks and Stones’. I believe he thinks he’s a Jedi Master…and Yoda, at that. He puts his hands out and says the same thing over and you WILL realize these aren’t the droids you’re looking for. In closing, my favorite mind trick moment was back during the State of the Union address. And I can’t believe no one has called this out. He spoke about the American PROMISE as opposed to the American Dream. Not buying it. He wants the nanny state to believe in the hamster wheel. “You keep little running buddy, work up that sweat. It doesn’t look like it now but I promise you’re making great strides…..wink, wink”.
My last two topics may be touching to most and seen as insensitive or racially charged to others. I assure you, they are not. At some point we have to admit we are in a time of change, both good and bad, and static, both good and bad. Unless we are allowed to say what we feel without being branded or demonized, this wonderful country of ours will go the way of Greece and the like. Objectivity is the word of the day….

Florida……The tragedy in Florida with the killing of Trayvon Martin is horrible and mind consuming. I can’t begin to describe what I think happened with that whole mess…so I won’t. What I will say is that there are factors fueling this beyond comprehension. First, the media has allowed and seemingly encouraged this to take on a racially motivated life of its own. I was watching CNN and the trailer on the bottom read: “Republicans, whites more tired of Trayvon Martin case”. Are you kidding me? They might as well send me sheets and a pair of scissors. Spike Lee, Al Sharpton are leading the pack. Lee has steadfastly proven his racism throughout the years and hidden behind the mask of Hollywood and skin color. While he calls the black race to the carpet about stereotypes and being proud, he lashes out hypocritically when a member of another race has the exact same to say. Sharpton? Just tune in and watch him for a moment. The fact is we do not know all the facts of this case. We don’t. And we shouldn’t. The media has been allowed to spin this into either direction and the only result has been increasingly stronger tensions. But the one that takes the cake is our own Commander-in-Chief. How shameful for him to get himself involved. For him to say that Martin could have looked like a son he’d had had, is, plainly put, wrong. Mr. Obama has allowed his ego to supersede his patriotism. The US President doesn’t allow himself to become involved in something as dividing as that. Any respect I did have has vanished. I pity him to relegating the Office to the level of morning talk show. The only thing he’s missing is a returned check from a prostitute.Afghanistan……I don’t want to say too terribly much about the incident in Afghanistan involving Sgt. Bales. The reason being is that it’s like trying to teach algebra to 6 year olds while speaking in Latin. You just can’t. This is what I want to say…..If they go ahead and try this patriot in civilian court, it will complete the disarray to which this administration has allowed our military to become. The people making the decision on placing him in civilian court are not qualified. Until you have experienced the military, you cannot pass judgment on those that have. There’s a reason that there is a Uniformed Code of Military Justice. Any time a crime or infraction occurs in the confines of the US Military it has mitigating circumstances. Period. Not kind of. Not maybe. Not here and there. Not sometimes. Every single time. Done. Case closed. I am not condoning nor supporting what this soldier did. I am only stating that he has given up the freedoms we take for granted to defend them. That deserves a look from a likeminded point of view. His service for our country warrants that. My apologies if you see it different. I was shown this statement one time and was told it was taken from the carton of soldier’s C-Rat in Vietnam (not sure how true that is but the words are powerful….). It reads, “For those that fight for it, freedom has a flavor the protected will never know”.

Here’s to ‘Too Union’ at SDP…..a bitch at 17 huh??? Get rid of that bandana, yet? Everyone has a price, Minnie Pearl.

Hope all have a great Easter weekend. I’ll be in touch. Hope to hear your thoughts and comments. I’m all ears.

I agree with almost everything stated. However, I wouldn’t say that all crimes committed within the confines of the military are inherently “mitigated.” In some cases the opposite may be true. I would agreee that all of these crimes are unique, and require the focused attention and understanding of the Military’s own justice system.